Now isn’t the time, John. With much respect, I might kindly offer that telling people who are in terrible shock and loss that NOW is the time, carpe diem and the like, is just a touch badly timed. This is an area which I do have deep expertise. I would gently suggest that you get hold of a lovely book that speaks precisely to all this and what to do about it: Transitions, by Dr. William Bridges.

Not a put down. Not a criticism. However I do suggest, again with respect, that we as writers consider that for the entire world, nearly everything they know is on fire. Allowing people the grace to deal with those endings, mourn their losses, and some of them are terrible indeed, might show a bit more respect for the emotional state people are in.

I’m an inspirational speaker and more motivated and accomplished than most. But I also know when to sit that down and let people just….Be. That includes me as well.

The desperate need to dododododododododo is a symptom of terrible stress, pain and loss. Doing only delays the inevitable. What genuinely helps in the long run, what allows us all to get back on our feet, is to deal with the intense emotions we all have to negotiate here and now. That’s considerably more difficult that turning into a gerbil and churning out endless articles that pour stress onto other people or get shin splints from running a thousand stairs every hour.

I have great empathy and compassion for what people are feeling. That’s why I don’t buy into carpe diem. Not just yet.

It would be great if our influencers would model behaviors that invoke calm, rather than push for productivity. If you read Bridges’ book, and it’s short, you’ll understand precisely what I mean. Or not. Just saying. Stay safe, John.